e features production work by an early Bob Rock, and the first ever cover design by Steven Gilmore (Skinny Puppy, Lord of the Rings, A Perfect Circle)

Toronto, Canada-

e (lower case!) was an experimental and new wave project that grew out of the burgeoning Vancouver punk scene around 1980. The project was the brainchild of Gary Middleclass (aka Gary Bourgeois) who also recorded with underground punk band The Generators, as well as the more famous Payola$. Bassist Michael Wonderful, also of The Generators, Brock Rock (Brock Smith), and Aleh (aka Nathan Holiday) formed the core of the initial band. Along with producer Bob Rock, e recorded two bleepy and punked out synth tracks for the project’s debut 7″, Reaction / Coincidence.

Middleclass then took e towards a more minimal approach with its second 7″, Prime Cuts, which was released as the original soundtrack to the Paul Wong videotape of the same name. The 7″ was the first to feature a new line-up: Young Canadians‘ drummer Barry Taylor, and keyboardist-vocalist Gina Daniels joined Middleclass in what would become the core of e for the next two years. Middleclass, Daniels, and Taylor are joined on these tracks by Glen Nelson of Images In Vogue and Mobile Clones fame.

The project’s only 12″ (and final release) was The Levitation Syndrome, a joyful burst of youthful energy and minimal synth that is as fresh today as it was when it was released by the cult label Rogelletti Records 35 years ago. Everything on these tracks comes together brilliantly; the melodies, the shy and fragile vocals, the subtle and excellent drumming, and the splendour of a short-lived minimal synth scene with all the energy of punk rock, west-coast style!

The Artoffact Records reissue is an authorized and remastered edition of the collected works of e. The vinyl includes all tracks from e’s three releases, as well as a bonus track, E 925, which appeared on the cult-classic Vancouver Complication compilation, and showcases the most experimental side of Middleclass’s ouevre. The record is housed in a beautiful sleeve, replicating the Levitation Syndrome artwork, which was originally designed by Steven R. Gilmore (famous for his cover artwork for Skinny Puppy, Images in Vogue, A Perfect Circle, as well as soundtrack cover art for Lord of the Rings, 300, The Dark Knight, Watchmen, and many more).

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